The summary of ‘The Witcher Was Always WOKE’

00:00:00

In this part of the video, the creator discusses the controversial discourse surrounding the concept of “wokeness” and its impact on the adaptation of fantasy IPs, particularly focusing on “The Witcher.” They explain that although complaints about diversity and feminism ruining pre-existing properties are frequent among certain internet circles, the show had issues beyond these surface criticisms.

The creator provides a background on “The Witcher,” noting its origin from books by Andrzej Sapkowski, followed by a series of video games, and subsequently, a Netflix television series. The adaptation process is detailed, including key casting decisions like Henry Cavill as Geralt, and the ensuing fan divisions and critiques, especially concerning diversity.

The creator argues that while the show has legitimate flaws as an adaptation, many criticisms are rooted in alt-right viewpoints that dismiss the progressive elements inherent in the original books. They note that critics often overlook these themes, suggesting they might not be well-versed in the source material. The creator commits to exploring this complexity further by examining specific characters, like Yennefer, whose portrayal deviates from the books, partly due to casting a half-Indian actress, sparking further debate.

00:05:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker analyzes a controversial quote from casting director Sophie Holland regarding the casting of Yennefer in “The Witcher.” Holland claimed she champions diversity and chose to cast a woman of color to challenge traditional beauty standards. The speaker critiques this by highlighting that Yennefer’s beauty in the source material is depicted as both artificial and a result of magic. They argue that casting a light-skinned, mixed-race actress does not genuinely subvert beauty norms and fails to consider deeper issues of colorism and representation. Additionally, the speaker notes that the decision-making process lacked true diversity, suggesting that it was primarily led by white individuals without fully grasping the complexities of these issues.

00:10:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the casting of diverse characters and critiques the concept of beauty standards in media, emphasizing the responsibility of casting directors. They then transition to analyzing the character Yennefer from “The Witcher,” addressing misconceptions about her being unlikable and the complexities of her role. The speaker argues that Yennefer was created to challenge traditional female stereotypes in fantasy, making her a multifaceted character who defies passive archetypes. They delve into Yennefer’s traits and her dynamic relationship with Geralt, highlighting her depth beyond being a love interest or mother figure. The segment also critiques the show’s adaptation, particularly changes in season two, and discusses the theme of bodily autonomy in the source material.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the speaker critiques the adaptation of Yennefer’s character in the series “The Witcher” compared to her portrayal in the original books. They discuss Yennefer’s forced path to becoming a sorceress, her unnatural aging, and the series’ significant changes that deviate from the source material. These changes include Yennefer undergoing a physical procedure to highlight her infertility instead of it being a natural consequence of magic. The speaker argues that these choices detract from the original narrative’s intricate exploration of magic and power’s impact on the body.

Additionally, the speaker touches on the series’ tendency to forcibly insert feminist themes and alter characters without thoughtful integration into the storyline, notably turning Yennefer into a maternal figure to Ciri, which they deem to be poor writing. They express concerns about racial representation and the superficial adaptation of characters’ ethnicities without proper contextual consideration.

The speaker also references a fictional mentor’s controversial views on wizards having children, emphasizing that these views reflect the problematic nature of the institution Yennefer belongs to, highlighting an unhealthy dynamic for those struggling with infertility.

00:20:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses how “The Witcher” series subverts traditional fantasy conventions while maintaining optimism. The main trio—Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri—each face societal expectations and personal dilemmas. Geralt is depicted as a marginalized individual due to his identity as a Witcher, a role he had no choice in but embraced nobly, despite societal rejection and his occupation becoming increasingly obsolete.

Yennefer, born with physical deformities and experiencing parental abuse, yearns for power but had to sacrifice much for it. Ciri, as a princess of destiny, is objectified and sought after for others’ ulterior motives. The speaker argues that these characters and their leftist, pro-choice, and pro-bodily autonomy themes align with the author’s intentions and contemporary societal issues.

The speaker also critiques the backlash against inclusivity in recent fantasy adaptations like “The Witcher,” noting that earlier shows like “Game of Thrones” had presented problematic depictions of women and minorities. They suggest that instead of retrofitting old stories for inclusivity, new diverse stories should be adapted to avoid backlash and more authentically represent various identities.

00:25:00

In this part of the video, the speaker critiques the storytelling and cultural cohesion in the latest season of “The Witcher.” The inconsistency in costumes and accents, as well as the disjointed world-building, are major points of contention. The critique highlights how characters’ outfits and the overall setting lack uniformity, diminishing the immersive experience. The speaker also emphasizes that the show does not trust its audience to understand subtleties, resulting in an overt and implicit storytelling approach. They point out the success of fantasy adaptations like “Lord of the Rings” and “Dune,” attributing it to faithfulness to source material and trusting the audience’s intelligence. Finally, they discuss the missed opportunities to add depth and humor from the books into the show, suggesting a lack of confidence in the original material.

00:30:00

In this part of the video, a letter exchange between characters is discussed. Geralt begins his letter with “Dear friend,” which leads to Yennefer’s passive-aggressive yet eloquent response. Yennefer sarcastically expresses joy at hearing from Geralt after three years and implies he has led a dull life. She addresses a request for help with a problem, noting she will assist despite being considered a secondary option. She promises secrecy and efficiency, subtly critiquing Geralt’s tendency to turn to other women for help. The video then shifts to discussing how the show portrays this letter with typical romantic angst, diverging from the book’s version. Additionally, the plot involving a character named Dyra uncovering a traitor in the Brotherhood of Sorcerers is touched upon. Geralt’s humorous, accidental involvement due to his need to relieve himself is highlighted, pointing out the character’s awkward nature. The narrator laments that the adaptation’s failure is often overshadowed by debates on feminism and identity politics, rather than acknowledging it simply doesn’t work well.

00:35:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the complexities and motivations behind adaptive fantasy series production in 2023. They emphasize that the issues aren’t about gender or race, but about the capitalist motivations driving these series. Diversity is frequently used as a marketing tool, but actual diverse representation in writers’ rooms remains limited. The speaker criticizes superficial changes made to characters and narratives, such as forced love triangles or diversity, driven by studio profits rather than storytelling integrity. They cite “The Hobbit” and “The Witcher” as examples where studio decisions were influenced by profit motives rather than narrative depth. Additionally, the speaker touches on the departure of Henry Cavill from “The Witcher” and the undue criticism related to gender issues in fantasy genres. They advocate for better quality, well-thought-out productions that respect audience intelligence and trust them to engage with complex, well-crafted stories.

00:40:00

In this segment, the speaker discusses the misuse of diversity in marketing, highlighting how companies often exploit black and brown individuals to claim they are changing beauty standards. They share their personal struggle with anxiety and a diagnosis indicating they are pre-diabetic. To address their health, they chose a sustainable and principle-based fitness routine, avoiding quick fixes and fatphobia. They highlight their positive experience with the Co-pilot fitness app, which offers personalized coaching and flexibility. The speaker appreciates Co-pilot’s focus on long-term well-being and encourages viewers to try it out for an authentic fitness journey tailored to individual needs.

00:45:00

In this segment, the video primarily features music and applause, with occasional exclamations and sounds from the audience.